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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2025

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Abstract

Wood-degrading brown-rot fungi primarily target carbohydrates, leaving the lignin modified and potentially valuable for valorization. Here, we report a comprehensive comparison of how Gloeophyllum trabeum in vitro degrades hardwood and softwood, which have fundamentally different lignin structures. By harnessing the latest advancements in analytical methodologies, we show that G. trabeum removes more lignin from wood (up to 36%) than previously reported. The brown-rot decayed lignin appeared substantially Cα-oxidized, O-demethylated, with a reduction in interunit linkages, leading to formation of substructures indicative of Cα-Cβ, β-O, and O-4 cleavage. Our work shows that the G. trabeum conversion of hardwood and softwood lignin results in similar modifications, despite the structural differences. Furthermore, lignin modification by G. trabeum enhances the antioxidant capacity of the lignin and generates an extractable lower molecular weight fraction. These findings improve our understanding of lignin conversion by brown-rot fungi and highlight their biotechnological potential for the development of lignin-based products.

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Abstract

Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to forest ecosystems, necessitating innovative adaptation strategies. Traditional assisted migration approaches, while promising, face challenges related to environmental constraints, forestry practices, phytosanitary risks, economic barriers, and legal constraints. This has sparked debate within the scientific community, with some advocating for the broader implementation of assisted migration despite these limitations, while others emphasize the importance of local adaptation, which may not keep pace with the rapid rate of climate change. This opinion paper proposes a novel pollen-based assisted migration strategy as a potential middle ground in this debate. By leveraging existing seed orchard infrastructure for controlled pollen transfer, this approach aims to enhance forest resilience through the introduction of genetic material from climatically suitable sources while acknowledging local adaptation. We assess the genetic implications of the proposed strategy through computer simulation. Additionally, we examine the ecological implications of assisted gene flow, discussing the potential benefits of heterosis and the risks of outbreeding depression in intra-specific hybrid populations. We further explore the advantages of pollen-based migration in mitigating phytosanitary risks, reducing economic barriers, and simplifying legal considerations compared to traditional seed or seedling transfer methods. Regional perspectives on adapting pollen-based assisted migration are provided, with specific examples from Northern and Central Europe. We highlight how this approach could be integrated into existing forestry practices and regulatory frameworks within the European Union. We conclude by advocating for the inclusion of pollen-based assisted migration in future international projects and operational forestry, emphasizing the need for adaptable policies that can support innovative forest management strategies in the face of climate change.

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Abstract

Green roofs and walls offer many benefits, not only in terms of the ecosystem services, but also in terms of improving building performance. The growing medium is the most important component of green roofs and walls. It should ensure stable plant growth with minimal maintenance and the proper choice is crucial for the survival and performance of the vegetation. In the study, we investigated how the source and supply of nutrients affects plant performance in a designed substrate for green walls and roofs. Topsoil from the site of plant origin mixed with sand and compost supplemented with mineral fertilizer was used to study the growth of Trifolium medium L. and Potentilla reptans L., element contents, oxidative stress level and photosynthetic efficiency. P. reptans was in most cases insensitive to mineral fertilization, but an adequate dose of compost improved its growth. T. medium was very sensitive to excessive mineral fertilization, which significantly impaired the growth and physiological status of the plants. Compost as the sole source of additional nutrients in a topsoil-based substrate seems to be the appropriate choice when legumes are used in a green wall or green roof. From the results obtained, we can conclude that calcareous grassland species can be successfully used in designing of green urban infrastructure.

Abstract

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